SSJ Associates

Sueann Wiest is a member of St. Francis Xavier parish in McKean, PA where she teaches religious education to kindergarten children. Sueann describes herself as a person who cherishes family, community, and her faith. She and her husband, Shawn, have … Read More

Margaret Chrymko is a native of the Buffalo, NY area. She became an associate in 1991 with Sister Susan Herzing as her mentor. Margaret received BS and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the  State University of New York at Buffalo. … Read More

A native of Ridgway, PA, Linda attended St. Leo Grade School and graduated from Elk County Christian High School in St. Marys, PA. Linda spent four years as a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph before realizing that God … Read More

Paul Wilcosz became an SSJ Associate in 2018 at the invitation of his friends, Associates Ted and Mary Wright. Sister Claudia Dombrowski served as his mentor. Paul first became acquainted with the Sisters of St. Joseph while his children attended … Read More

Twenty years ago, in May of 2000, Stephanie became our Director of Communications and Public Relations and the first layperson hired to our administrative staff (see box). Two years later, Stephanie and her mother, Mary Lou Rathers, became associates. Sisters … Read More

Fr. Dennis claims Pittsburgh, PA as his hometown where he was educated by the Sisters of Charity. He credits the sisters and the priests of his parish for his vocation. In 1975, he was ordained as a Marianist priest and … Read More

A native of Erie, Cindi is one of three children in her family.  She attended Villa Maria Academy and received a degree from Kent State University. Cindi joined the SSJs as the Director of Finance in August, 2000.   She became … Read More

Rita says that becoming an associate has enhanced her spiritual life and she enjoys the friendship of the sisters. For the past 12 years, she was a volunteer in Marycrest where she enjoyed working with the sisters. More recently, she … Read More

Brandon Vogt became an associate in 2012. At 32, he is our youngest associate. Sr. Mary Thomas Downing, his mentor, said, “Tell them you sang your way in.” Brandon is a pastoral liturgist and musician in the Diocese of Erie … Read More

Edith Benson, one of six children in her family, was born in Columbia, SC, and lived in Augusta, GA, and the Bronx, NY. During her younger years, she had aspirations to become a medical doctor and help others. Her career … Read More

A native of Chicago, Dolores and her husband, Ron, settled in Erie in 1986. Dolores worked as a registered nurse at the SSJ infirmary and as a certified childbirth educator at Saint Vincent Health Center. Dolores volunteered her time teaching … Read More

Anne Freitas has been on the faculty of Kent State University for 24 years. She presently is an Assistant Professor of Nursing – teaching courses in pediatrics, obstetrics and medical surgical nursing. She belongs to a number of professional organizations. … Read More

With Sr. Joyce Lowrey as her mentor, Joan became an associate in 2017. She is a member of Holy Cross parish in Fairview. She attends daily mass at the CLC and has come to know many of the sisters. She … Read More

Associate Patty George and her late husband, Bob, became associates in 1992 at the invitation of Sister Mary Paula Zaleski and Sister Stephanie Wagner. Patty has known the Sisters of St. Joseph since her days at St. Patrick’s grade school. … Read More

Connectedness. That is what led Jan to become an associate in 2006.  Jan’s connections with the SSJ include her education at St. John Grade School and Villa Maria Academy; and working at St. Mary’s Home of Erie and Saint Vincent … Read More

A physical therapist, Tom retired from Gannon University where he was an Assistant Professor and taught Pediatrics and Adult Neurology for twenty years.  He also worked part-time for 35 years, retiring in June 2018, from the Erie Homes for Children … Read More

Spring has sprung! I feel a renewed sense of ambition and wanted to know what other associates are doing to spread the charism. I was blessed to speak with Mary Wright. Mary and her husband, Ted, became associates in 2008. … Read More

If you have ever received a call asking to donate bread or a  pie donations or to volunteer at  the Thanksgiving Dinner or Circle of Friends celebration, you were most likely speaking with Carol Hermann.  Carol is the development associate … Read More